politics

US-Israel War Day 29: Kuwait Airport Hit, Yemen Blames Israel

UAE authorities have reassured residents that the situation is safe after air defences intercepted missile and drone threats amid escalating regional conflict. A nationwide alert confirmed normal activities can resume, while urging vigilance. Meanwhile, missile exchanges, strikes and attacks across Israel, Iran and neighbouring countries highlight intensifying tensions and growing risks to regional security and stability. Follow this live blog for the latest updates:

03:35 PM, 28 March 2026

UAE air defences intercept 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drones from Iran today

The UAE’s air defence systems intercepted 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drones launched from Iran on March 28, the Ministry of Defence said.

The ministry added that since the start of the Iranian attacks, UAE air defences have intercepted a total of 398 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,872 drones.

02:20 PM, 28 March 2026

Iran says dozens dead in strikes

Iranian media said that US-Israeli strikes hit multiple residential areas, killing more than a dozen people overnight, though AFP was not able to independently verify any of these tolls.

Israel’s military earlier said it launched strikes on Iranian “regime targets”, as an AFP journalist in the capital Tehran reported hearing around 10 intense blasts and seeing a plume of black smoke.

01:36 PM, 28 March 2026

Iran military says targeted US vessel near Oman port

Iran’s military said Saturday that it had targeted a US logistics vessel near the Omani port of Salalah.

“A logistics vessel supporting the aggressive US army was targeted by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran at a considerable distance from the port of Salalah in Oman,” Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesman for Iran’s central military command said in a statement carried by state TV.

01:03 PM, 28 March 2026

Production at major Iran steel plant halted after Israeli-US strikes

Production at a major steel factory in Iran has been halted following US-Israeli strikes, Iranian media said on Saturday.

Citing a statement by the Khuzestan Steel Company in Iran’s southwest, Shargh daily said the plant’s “production lines have been shut down” after several units and steelmaking facilities were hit by strikes on Friday.

12:37 PM, 28 March 2026

Pakistan to host Saudi, Turkey, Egypt for talks on Mideast war

Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will meet in Islamabad for talks on the war in the Middle East, the government said on Saturday.

It said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had invited his counterparts and that they would be in the Pakistani capital on Sunday and Monday.

The visiting foreign ministers would also meet Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, it said.

A foreign ministry source earlier told AFP that the quadrilateral meeting would take place on Monday, with delegations expected to arrive in Pakistan by Sunday evening.

Pakistan has emerged as a key facilitator between Iran and the United States as the conflict drags on, serving as an intermediary for messages between the two sides.

12:10 PM, 28 March 2026

Explosion heard near Iraq’s Erbil airport

An explosion was heard on Saturday morning near the international airport of Erbil, a city in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, an AFP journalist reported and a witness said they saw smoke.

Erbil is home to a major US consulate complex, while its airport houses military advisors attached to a US-led international anti-jihadist coalition. Regular drone attacks by pro-Iran armed groups are usually intercepted by air defences.

12:06 PM, 28 March 2026

Kuwait’s international airport damaged in drone attack

Spokesperson for Kuwait’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation Abdullah Al Rajhi announced that Kuwait International Airport was subjected to several drone attacks, with no casualties, but only limited damage.

Al Rajhi said in a statement that the attack caused significant damage to the airport’s radar system. He added that emergency teams and relevant authorities immediately responded to the incident, taking necessary measures to comprehensively assess the situation, ensure the safety of operations, and restore full operational readiness as soon as possible.

He affirmed the Authority’s full commitment and continued coordination with relevant authorities to take all necessary measures to safeguard the security and safety of civil aviation in Kuwait.

11:43 AM, 28 March 2026

Third fire breaks out in Abu Dhabi after missile debris

As part of the ongoing follow-up to the previously reported incident in the vicinity of Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD, caused by falling debris following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems, authorities confirmed outbreak of a third fire.

Authorities further confirmed an additional injury as a result of the incident, to a Pakistani national, bringing the total number of injured individuals to six, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate. Authorities have controlled all three fires and the cooling process is underway.

The public is advised to obtain information only from official sources and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information.

11:41 AM, 28 March 2026

Yemen’s Houthis claim responsibility for missile attack on Israel

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saturday claimed their first attack on Israel since the start of the Middle East war a month ago.

In a statement posted on X, the group, which controls most of northern Yemen and targeted Israel with drones and missiles throughout much of the Gaza war, said it had launched missiles at Israeli military sites.

A few hours earlier, the Israeli military said it had identified an attack from Yemen and was working to intercept it.

10:18 AM, 28 March 2026

Two drones target Salalah port in Oman, one worker injured

A security source reported that the port of Salalah was targeted by two unmanned aerial vehicles, resulting in moderate injuries to an expatriate worker and limited damage to a port crane, according to the Oman News Agency. Authorities confirmed that swift response measures were taken to contain the situation and prevent further harm.

The Sultanate of Oman strongly condemned the hostile attacks, describing them as unacceptable acts that threaten the country’s security and stability. Officials emphasised that all necessary measures are being implemented to protect critical infrastructure and ensure the safety of residents and workers at the port.

Oman authorities reiterated its commitment to maintaining vigilance against such threats and warned that any attempts to destabilise the nation would be met with decisive action. Security agencies continue to investigate the incident and monitor the situation closely.

09:41 AM, 28 March 2026

Trump’s war goals unmet as he eyes Iran wind-down

Washington: President Donald Trump has listed five objectives that the US wants to achieve before ending its war with Iran. Now, one month into the conflict, he has suggested the US may soon be “winding down” the operation, even though some of his key aims remain undefined or unfulfilled.

09:07 AM, 28 March 2026

Jazeera Airways to resume Karachi flights via Dammam

Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways will resume flights between Kuwait and Karachi via Dammam Airport from April 7, operating twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The route supports passenger travel and cargo flows, using an integrated air‑ground model through Dammam and Qaisumah airports to maintain operations and expand connectivity amid challenges.

08:55 AM, 28 March 2026

Thai PM says reached deal with Iran for vessels to transit Hormuz Strait

Thailand has reached an agreement with Iran to allow Thai oil vessels safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Southeast Asian nation’s Prime Minister said on Saturday.

“An agreement has been reached to allow Thai oil tankers to transit safely through the Strait of Hormuz,” Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said at a press conference, adding the development would alleviate concerns over fuel imports.

08:51 AM, 28 March 2026

Saudi Arabia warns against sharing interception footage

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior warned against photographing, publishing, or sharing any information related to intercepting hostile missiles and drones or their impact locations.

The ministry said violators would face legal accountability. The warning comes amid ongoing interceptions of missiles and drones targeting the Kingdom.

08:20 AM, 28 March 2026

Bahrain controls fire in facility targeted by Iranian attack

The Civil Defence of the Kingdom of Bahrain has announced that it successfully distinguished a fire in a facility targeted by the Iranian aggression.

This came in a statement by the Bahraini Ministry of Interior.

08:13 AM, 28 March 2026

Israel reports war’s first missile attack from Yemen

Israel’s military reported a first missile launch from Yemen since the Middle East war began on February 28, after Iran’s Houthi allies threatened to join the fighting.

A military statement said Israeli forces had “identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory, aerial defence systems are operating to intercept the threat”.

It was the first such statement mentioning a launch from Yemen during the war with Iran, which has entered its second month.

There were no reports of any casualties or damage in Israel, and media reports suggested the missile may have been intercepted.

08:01 AM, 28 March 2026

Abu Dhabi fire incidents injure five Indian nationals

Relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi are responding to fire incidents in the Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), caused by debris from a ballistic missile successfully intercepted by air defence systems.

Following the incident, competent authorities confirmed that five individuals of Indian nationality sustained minor to moderate injuries.

07:55 AM, 28 March 2026

Iran reports strike at Bushehr nuclear plant, third in 10 days: IAEA

The UN nuclear watchdog said Friday it had been informed by Iran of a new strike in the area of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the third such incident in 10 days.

Tehran told the agency there was no damage to the operating reactor and no radiation release, and that the plant was functioning normally, the International Atomic Energy Agency said on X.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned that that any strike damaging a reactor could trigger a major radiological incident, urging “maximum military restraint”.

06:35 AM, 28 March 2026

UAE responds to Iranian threat, residents alerted safe

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

The message, sent across the UAE, thanked residents for their cooperation and reassured the public that normal activities can now resume.

Authorities urged residents to stay vigilant, follow safety guidance, and monitor official channels for any updates.

Earlier, the ministry that UAE air defence systems were actively responding to incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran amid ongoing regional hostilities.

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06:52 AM, 28 March 2026

Iran launches more missiles targeting Israel

Israel’s military said early Saturday that Iran fired missiles targeting the country.

The latest missiles follow an earlier salvo that killed 1 person and injure more across Israel late Friday and into Saturday.

Sirens sounded in northern Israel, along the border with Lebanon, where rocket and drone attacks from Hezbollah have been constant during the war.

04:48 AM, 28 March 2026

UAE responding to drone and missile attack

UAE air defences are engaging to incoming missiles and UAV’s threat from Iran. The UAE Ministry of Defence (MOD) asserts that the sounds heard are the result of Air Defence Systems engaging missiles and the fighters are intercepting cruise missiles and UAV’s.

05:06 AM, 28 March 2026

Israel launches fresh wave of strikes vs Hezbollah targets in Beirut

Israeli army says it has launched a “wave of strikes targeting Hezbollah terror infrastructure in Beirut” and issued an evacuation warning for several neighbourhoods in the southern suburbs.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) also reported Israel strikes on south Beirut’s Tahouitet Al-Ghadir area, and the east.

03:46 AM, 28 March 2026

Trump says he really believes he’s a peacemaker

The president made the comment when he was asked what he would like his legacy to be. He responded by saying that “it doesn’t sound right for me to say this, but I’d love my legacy to be made as a great peacemaker.”

He added: “I really believe I’m a peacemaker. It doesn’t seem it right now, but I think I’m a peacemaker.”

03:01 AM, 28 March 2026

Trump says economy will take off like a ‘rocket ship’ after Iran war

The president said in his speech at the FII Priority Summit in Miami that economic growth would surge once the war ends, suggesting that the world would benefit from Iran no longer pursuing nuclear weapons or using terrorist proxies.

The president played down recent declines in the stock market, saying “It hasn’t been that bad” and that he thought oil prices were going to be higher than they are now.

01:23 AM, 28 March 2026

Turkey to hold regional talks on Iran conflict this weekend

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced Friday night that he will be meeting with his Egyptian, Saudi and Pakistani counterparts in Pakistan over the weekend regarding the war in Iran.

Fidan was asked about Turkey’s role in the war during an interview with private news channel A Haber, where he said telephone diplomacy was ongoing and that they were currently in the middle of a “difficult and painful” process.

He also added that Turkey was working to prevent the escalation of mistrust between Iran and its Gulf neighbors, who are under attack by Tehran.

“That’s exactly the scenario Israel wants, for the Muslim countries engaging in a long-term regional war,” Fidan said.

12:19 AM, 28 March 2026

IAEA investigates damages caused by strike on Iran facility

The IAEA is looking into the damage caused by a strike on Iran’s Shahid Rezayee Nejad Yellow Cake Production Facility in Yazd province. The agency said on X that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported.

Earlier on Friday, the US and Israel launched multiple attacks on industrial and nuclear sites in Iran just hours after Israel threatened to “escalate and expand” its campaign against Tehran.

12:03 AM, 28 March 2026

Iran vows ‘HEAVY price’ for strikes on industrial sites

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Israel struck two of his country’s largest steel factories, a power plant and nuclear sites, among other infrastructure that were hit earlier in the day.

“Israel claims it acted in coordination with the US Attack contradicts POTUS extended deadline for diplomacy. Iran will exact HEAVY price for Israeli crimes,” he wrote on X.

The US and Israel launched multiple attacks on industrial and nuclear sites in Iran just hours after Israel threatened to “escalate and expand” its campaign against Tehran.

Dubai World Cup 2026: Who’s racing

The Dubai World Cup returns to Meydan Racecourse on Saturday, 28 March, showcasing some of the world’s finest horses racing for huge prizes.

Horses to look out for

The headline race will see top international contenders battle for one of horse racing’s most prestigious prizes.

Forever Young, a global superstar with victories in the Saudi Cup and Breeders’ Cup Classic, is expected to be the favourite in the World Cup race. The defending champion, Hit Show, will be in the mix and aim for back-to-back glory, while U.S. challenger Magnitude and England-based Heart of Honor add further depth to the field. Local UAE horses, including Meydaan, Imperial Emperor, Tumbarumba, Walk of Stars, and Tap Leader, will bring homegrown talent to the race.

Beyond the main event, the festival features other elite horses in key supporting races. Calandagan, one of the world’s top Flat horses and recent Japan Cup winner, is set to contest in the Dubai Sheema Classic. Rebel’s Romance, a multiple Grade 1 winner with international success, and Ethical Diamond, a top Irish-trained contender, are also expected to compete, highlighting the global nature of the meet.

The 2026 Dubai World Cup offers a spectacular showcase of international racing talent, with horses from Japan, Europe, the United States, and the UAE all vying for glory. Fans can expect thrilling races throughout the day as these elite thoroughbreds compete on one of the world’s richest and most prestigious race days.

Prize money up for grabs

The 2026 Dubai World Cup festival boasts a total prize pool of $30.5 million, with the headline Dubai World Cup offering a staggering $12 million to the winner.

Other feature races include the Dubai Sheema Classic at $6 million over 2,410 metres on turf, the Dubai Turf at $5 million over 1,800 metres, and the Dubai Golden Shaheen, a $2 million sprint on dirt over 1,200 metres.

The UAE Derby, Al Quoz Sprint, Dubai Gold Cup, Godolphin Mile, and the Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred Arabians each offer purses ranging from $1 million to $1.5 million, showcasing world-class talent across both turf and dirt surfaces at distances from 1,200 to 3,200 metres.

politics

U.S.–Iran may meet in Pakistan for talks next week

The U.S. and Iran will likely return to Pakistan next week for a second round of peace negotiations, two senior Pakistani officials told MS NOW on Wednesday.

The latest sign of the countries’ continuing efforts to reach a diplomatic end to the war came from officials who are involved in finalizing decisions with the U.S. and Iranian teams, but did not want to be named because of sensitivities around negotiations, MS NOW reported.

The step toward resuming the stalled peace talks came as tensions in the Persian Gulf continued to rise, further imperiling a shaky two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains at a trickle as Iran continues to pose threats to passing vessels and the U.S. enforces a retaliatory blockade of Iranian ports.

President Donald Trump, who said last week that the ceasefire agreement was subject to the strait being fully reopened, had complained about the lack of activity in the vital shipping route prior to announcing the blockade.

On Wednesday, Iranian state news outlet Fars reported that Tehran was suspending all petrochemical exports until further notice.

Still, the White House said Wednesday it is optimistic about a possible peace agreement coming into view.

“Discussions are being had,” and “we feel good about the prospects of a deal,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a White House briefing, while cautioning that the next round of in-person talks hasn’t yet been made official.

Leavitt also said those talks would “very likely” be held in Islamabad, “the same place as they were last time.” Pakistan has facilitated communications between the warring powers.

The first round of negotiations last weekend — a marathon 21-hour session led on the the U.S. side by Vice President JD Vance and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner — ended in no deal.

Pakistan is “the only mediator in this negotiation,” Leavitt said as she praised the regional power for its help so far.

Leavitt also said it is “not true” that the U.S. has requested an extension of the ceasefire, which is set to expire next Tuesday.

A senior U.S. official told CNBC on Wednesday morning, “The United States has not formally agreed to an extension of the ceasefire. There is continued engagement between the U.S. and Iran to reach a deal.”

CNBC

politics

US halts Iran sea trade despite hopes for talks

The United States said on Wednesday its military had completely halted trade going in and out of Iran by sea, while President Donald Trump said talks with Tehran on ending the war could resume this week, sending oil prices down for a second day.

Trump said negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials could resume in Pakistan in the next two days and Vice President JD Vance, who led weekend talks that ended without a breakthrough, said he felt positive about where things stood.

“I think you’re going to be watching an amazing two days ahead,” Trump told ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, adding he did not think it would be necessary to extend a two-week ceasefire that ends on April 21. “It could end either way, but I think a deal is preferable because then they can rebuild,” Trump said, according to a post by Karl on X. “They really do have a different regime now. No matter what, we took out the radicals.”

Officials from Pakistan, Iran and the Gulf also said negotiating teams from the U.S. and Iran could return to Pakistan later this week, although one senior Iranian source said no date had been set.

Despite the optimistic note, more vessels were being turned back under the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, including a U.S.-sanctioned and Chinese-owned tanker Rich Starry that was making its way back to the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after exiting the Arabian Gulf.

Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of the U.S. Central Command, said American forces had completely halted economic trade going in and out of Iran by sea, which he said fuels 90% of Iran’s economy.

“In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, U.S. forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea,” Cooper said in a post on X.

U.S. and Iran begin a battle of economic endurance in the Strait of Hormuz

Earlier the U.S. military said it had intercepted eight Iran-linked oil tankers since the start of the blockade on Monday, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Trump, speaking to the New York Post on Tuesday, said his negotiators are likely to be back, thanks largely to the “great job” Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was doing to moderate the talks.

Later on Tuesday, at an event in Georgia, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Trump wanted to make a “grand bargain” with Iran but there was a lot of mistrust between the two countries.

“You are not going to solve that problem overnight,” he said. The signs of diplomatic engagement to end the conflict that began on Feb. 28 helped calm oil markets, pressing benchmark prices below US$100 for a second day on Wednesday. Asian stocks rose while the safe-haven dollar stabilized after falling for a seventh straight session overnight.

China’s Xi warns global order ‘crumbling’ amid Iran war chaos

However, the market stands to lose access to further supply as the U.S. does not plan to renew a 30-day waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil at sea that expires this week, according to two U.S. officials, and quietly let a similar waiver on Russian oil run out on the weekend.

The war has prompted Iran to effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global waterway for crude and gas transport, and cut shipments from the Gulf to global buyers, particularly in Asia and Europe, leaving importers scrambling to secure alternative supplies. About 5,000 people have died in the hostilities, including about 3,000 in Iran and 2,000 in Lebanon.

Sticking points

Iran’s nuclear ambitions were a key sticking point at the weekend talks. The U.S. had proposed a 20-year suspension of all nuclear activity by Iran, while Tehran had suggested a halt of three to five years, according to people familiar with the proposals.

Speaking in Seoul, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said the length of any moratorium on Iranian uranium enrichment was a political decision and it was possible Tehran might accept a compromise as a confidence-building act.

The U.S. has also pressed for any enriched nuclear material to be removed from Iran, while Tehran has demanded that international sanctions against it be removed.

Israel and Lebanon meet in Washington for first direct diplomatic talks in decades

One source involved in the negotiations in Pakistan said back-channel talks since the weekend had produced progress in closing that gap, bringing the two sides closer to a deal that could be put forward at a new round of talks.

However, in a major complication for peace prospects, Israel has continued to attack Lebanon as it targets Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group. Israel and the U.S. say that campaign is not covered by the ceasefire, while Iran insists it is. On Tuesday, the U.K., Canada, Japan and seven other countries condemned the killings of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon and called for “an urgent end to hostilities.”

Reuters

politics

‘I don’t fear Trump,’ says Pope Leo after ‘weak’ jibe

Pope Leo said he did not fear the Trump administration and would continue to speak out against war after Donald Trump delivered an extraordinary broadside against him in which he said he did not think the Chicago-born pontiff was “doing a very good job”, while also suggesting he should “stop catering to the radical left”.

In remarks that have been widely criticised, the US president used a lengthy social media post to sharply criticise Leo while he flew from Florida to Washington on Sunday night, then continued in comments on the tarmac to reporters. “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo,” he said.

Trump made the comments after Leo suggested over the weekend that a “delusion of omnipotence” was fuelling the US-Israeli war in Iran. While it is not unusual for popes and presidents to be at cross purposes, it is exceedingly rare for the pope to criticise a US leader – and for the president to respond in such a stinging manner.

“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” the president wrote in his post, adding: “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon.” He repeated that sentiment in comments to reporters, saying: “We don’t like a pope who says it’s OK to have a nuclear weapon.”

Later, he posted a clearly AI-generated image of himself as a Jesus-like figure, appearing to “cure” a man. He deleted it after a backlash from some of his religious supporters.

Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Saturday, the day the US and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan during a fragile ceasefire. The pope did not mention the US or Trump by name, but his tone and message appeared to be directed at Trump and American officials, who have boasted of US military superiority and justified the war in religious terms.

Leo arrived in Algeria on Monday as part of an 11-day tour of Africa, and during the papal flight he told reporters he was not a politician and that he did not want to enter into a debate with Trump.

“The message of the church, my message, the message of the gospel: blessed are the peacemakers. I do not look at my role as being political, a politician.” Leo said he did not think the message of the gospel should “be abused, as some are doing”.

“I continue to speak strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, dialogue and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems,” he said.

Responding to a question from a US journalist, the pope said: “I’m not afraid of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the church is here to do.”

US bishops have defended Leo, saying he is not a political rival but a “vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the gospel” while their Italian counterparts called on Trump to respect Leo and his ministry.

The Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said he condemned Trump’s “insult” in a message addressed to Leo on social media. “On behalf of the great nation of Iran, I condemn the insult to Your Excellency and declare that the desecration of Jesus (peace be upon him), the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is unacceptable to any free person,” he wrote.

Italian politicians from across the spectrum also criticised Trump’s comments. Matteo Salvini, the far-right deputy prime minister who has been a staunch supporter of Trump, said: “If anyone is working hard on the issue of peace and conflict resolution, it’s Pope Leo. Attacking the pope, a symbol of peace and a spiritual guide for billions of Catholics, doesn’t seem like a useful or intelligent thing to do.”

Italy’s far-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, said Trump’s words were “unacceptable”. But that was only after she came under pressure from the opposition when she omitted to address the remarks in a social media post earlier on Monday that praised Leo for his role in “fostering the return of peace” and his trip to Africa. Her government has formed strategic partnerships on the continent, mainly aimed at addressing irregular immigration.

Meloni, who is ideologically in tune with Trump and has nurtured good relations with him, said in a statement: “I find President Trump’s words toward the Holy Father unacceptable. The pope is the head of the Catholic church, and it is right and proper that he calls for peace and condemns all forms of war.”

Matteo Renzi, Italy’s liberal former prime minister, said it was a “duty” to defend the pope. “Not only for Catholics but also, and above all, for the laity,” he said.

“It’s been centuries since we’ve seen such blatant aggression [against a pope],” Renzi said, describing the pontiff as a “bridge builder”, in contrast to Trump, who he described as “a destroyer of relationships and civilisations”.

Leo’s criticisms of the war have intensified since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran began. In ones of his harshest condemnations, he said God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them”.

This was seen as a rebuke to the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, who said he prayed for “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy”.

Leo has also referenced an Old Testament passage from Isaiah, saying that “even though you make many prayers, I will not listen – your hands are full of blood”.

Before the ceasefire, when Trump warned of mass strikes against Iranian power plants and other infrastructure and that “an entire civilization will die tonight”, Leo described such sentiments as “truly unacceptable”.

In his social media post on Sunday night, however, Trump went far beyond the war in Iran in criticising Leo. The president wrote: “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States.” That was a reference to the Trump administration ousting the Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in January.

“I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do,” Trump added, referencing his 2024 election victory.

Trump also suggested in the post that Leo only got his position “because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J Trump”.

“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” Trump claimed, adding: “Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!”

In his subsequent comments to reporters, Trump remained highly critical, saying: “I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime I guess,” adding: “He’s a very liberal person.”

In the 2024 election, Trump won 55% of Catholic voters, according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. But Trump’s administration also has close ties to conservative evangelical Protestant leaders and has claimed heavenly endorsement for the war on Iran.

Hegseth has urged Americans to pray for victory “in the name of Jesus Christ”. When Trump was asked whether he thought God approved of the war, he said: “I do, because God is good – because God is good and God wants to see people taken care of.”

The US vice-president, JD Vance, urged the Vatican to “stick to matters of morality”.

Vance told Fox News: “In some cases, it would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality … and let the president of the United States stick to dictating American public policy.”

The Guardian